Project Goal
Auckland Home Extension for a Growing Family
This Long Bay family required more room for their growing household. Our ground floor and first floor extension delivered the needed space. We added an extra bedroom and a dedicated family room. We also enlarged an existing bedroom and the media room. This created better living areas for the family, both indoors and out.
Project Challenges
We faced several complex challenges on this project. A key task involved removing a load-bearing column that supported a deck and the roof. We completed this while keeping the main roof structure secure. Site access was also tight, as the work was at the rear of the property. We managed poor ground conditions with a high underground water level. The existing house had surfaces that were out of level and plumb (not perfectly horizontal or vertical), which required creative solutions. Finally, the original engineering plans did not work on-site, so our team engineered a new, practical solution.
Our Solution & Process
Our process began with a mini digger for excavation work on the new patio, pole holes, and footings. To protect existing paths and landscaping, our team removed all soil by hand and loaded it into skips for quick disposal. We managed the high water table by lining drilled holes with metal casings to prevent collapse and used a petrol pump to remove excess water. We erected shrink-wrapped scaffolding early to protect the home and the client’s belongings. Using professional laser levels, we set all new floor levels to millimetre accuracy. We carefully integrated the extension with the existing home by adjusting cladding and roofing for a unified look. Planning during the design stage allowed us to recycle existing windows, saving the client around $10,000.
Points of Interest
We matched the home’s exterior using bevelback and ship-lap timber weatherboards with identical roofing and spouting. The new living room features architectural interior panels, a custom bar, a kitchenette, and a gas fireplace. We installed two remote-controlled Velux skylights in the hallway for more natural light and ventilation. The new deck is finished with durable Vitex hardwood timber and a modern glass balustrade. By flooring an unused hallway void, we created a sunny home office. We also upgraded the property with smart home technology, including a smart lock, security cameras, indoor and outdoor speakers, and phone-controlled lighting. All new spaces were built with a focus on noise reduction and insulation. Finally, we installed low-maintenance artificial turf around the house with the Prestige Turf team.
